What Is the Rolex Explorer II 1655?
The Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 arrived in 1971 as a 40mm stainless steel tool watch with a fixed 24-hour bezel and an orange 24-hour hand. Collectors call it the "Freccione," Italian for "little arrow," and it stayed in production until roughly 1985. Because original examples are scarce and expensive, the 1655 is one of the most replicated vintage Rolex references on the market.
where to buy a clone rolex explorer 2 1655
Top Pick: The Swiss ETA 2836-2 GMT Build
If you want the closest wearable match, choose a 40mm steel case with an acrylic crystal, a fixed steel 24-hour bezel with black-filled numerals, and a Swiss ETA 2836-2 base movement fitted with a GMT module. That combination reproduces the original proportions, the period-correct crystal, and a 24-hour hand that travels in the right direction.
Skip anything with a sapphire crystal and a 42mm case. Those specs belong to a later Explorer II and will look wrong to anyone who knows the reference.
Where to Buy a Clone Rolex Explorer 2 1655: A Comprehensive Buying Guide
How Do the Replica Tiers Compare?
Budget Tier (under about $100)
Usually a low-jewel Chinese automatic with a 24-hour hand that is effectively glued to the hour hand. Case finishing is sharp-edged and the bezel engraving is shallow. Fine as a novelty, weak as a daily wearer.
How to Tell a Fake Rolex Explorer 2 1655
Mid Tier (roughly $150 to $350)
Asia 2836 or DG3804 GMT clones, a correct 40mm case, decent dial printing, and a screw-down caseback. Bracelet end links often fail to sit flush against the lugs.
Top Tier (roughly $400 and up)
Swiss ETA 2836-2 with a modified GMT train, a 1:1 case profile, accurate dial fonts, and a bracelet styled after the 78360 with 580 end links. This is the tier that survives daily wear and holds time within a few seconds a day.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
- Case diameter 40mm, lug width 20mm, thickness near 13mm.
- Acrylic crystal rather than sapphire for period accuracy.
- A 24-hour hand that sets independently and does not drag the hour hand.
- Non-quickset date, matching the behavior of the original caliber 1575.
- Bezel numerals filled in black, not painted white.
- A movement you can actually get serviced locally.
What Are the Legal and Practical Risks?
Selling or reselling a counterfeit watch is illegal in the United States under trademark law, and imported packages can be seized by Customs. A replica is not a Rolex, carries no warranty or factory service network, and is worth only what the next buyer will pay. If you want a genuine 24-hour steel tool watch with no legal exposure, a modern Explorer II or a Seiko GMT is the safer purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close is a replica Explorer II 1655 to the original?
A top-tier replica can match case size, dial layout, and crystal material, but not the hand finishing, the movement architecture, or the patina that only decades produce. Side by side with a genuine piece, the gaps show in dial sheen and bezel font weight.
Which movement is best in a 1655 replica?
A Swiss ETA 2836-2 with a GMT module is the most reliable option and the easiest to service. Asian 2836 clones cost less but need attention sooner.
Is the 1655 the "Steve McQueen" Rolex?
The nickname comes from a photo of Steve McQueen wearing an orange-hand Explorer II, though some historians attribute the watch in that shot to a later reference. Rolex never used the name officially.
Does a replica 1655 keep value?
No. Replica watches are not collectible assets, and their resale value drops the moment the movement needs work.